‘Walk and Talk’ counselling has helped 217 youngsters who were at risk of self harm with three quarters saying they now had fewer negative thoughts.

Around two thirds of children who have taken part in the Bounce Forward programme, delivered by mental health charity Lancashire Mind, said their well-being had improved as a result.

Diane Booth, director of children’s services at Blackpool Council, said in her report that all 10 to 16-year-olds are now benefiting from Headstart “with the aim of increasing their resilience and wellbeing, by giving them the tools to do so and by changing the systems around them.”